Container and dispenser with trap means



Aug. 27, 1968' P. ALIO' 3,398,857

CONTAINER AND DISPENSER WITH TRAP MEANS Filed Mar'ch 11 1966' 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 286 FIG. 24

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I V NTOR, Pfifefi- 'Alio ATTORNEY Aug. 27, 1968 P. ALlO CONTAINER AND DISPENSER WITH TRAP MEANS Filed March 11, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Perer Allo 7: 7M

ATTORNEY Aug. 27, 1968 P. ALIO 3,398,857

CONTAINER AND DISPENSER WITH TRAP MEANS Filed March 11, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F|G.l3

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E FIG.14 H610 2 14 86 ,/84 :1 a7 4 82 91 85 91 /'89 L p {W 89 \83 INVENTOR. Peter Alio BY I ATTORNEY United States Patent "ice 3,398,857 CONTAINER AND DISPENSER WITH TRAP MEANS Peter Alio, 7706 30th Ave., Jackson Heights, NY. 11372 Filed Mar. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 533,615 7 Claims. (Cl. 221-190) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is directed to a pill dispenser for dispensing in a positive manner one pill at a time each time the dispenser is tilted from a normal upright position to a dispensing inverted position. In one form of the invention the dispensing container comprises an enclosure having a sub-cavity located at the lowest point of the interior of the enclosure and which sub-cavity communicates through a single opening with a dispensing passageway through which the pill is dispensed when the container is tilted to a dispensing position. The construction and arrangement of the sub-cavity is such that a pellet gravitates thereinto and is disposed therein when the container is in the normal upright position. In dispensing, the sub-cavity functions to temporarily trap the pellet therein and thereby blocks or prohibits a succeeding pellet from entering into the passageway. As the container is further rotated to a dispensing position, the particle or pills in the main chamber are gravitated away from the sub-cavity and the pill disposed in the passageway is then free to be dispensed therethrough.

In another form of the invention a movable ejector means is operatively associated with the lowermost point of the main chamber bottom wall. The movable ejector is disposed in alignment with a channelway or passageway through which the particle or pills are successively dispensed. The end of the passage is spaced over the low point in alignment with the pill resting thereat in the normal upright position of the container. In this form of the invention a means is provided for effecting reciprocal movement of the injector inwardly toward the passageway upon the tilting of the dispenser from an inoperative upright position to an operative dispensing position. In doing so, the movable ejector positions the pellet to be dispensed into the passageway and at the same time blocks the opening to the passageway to prohibit any succeeding pellets from entering thereinto. Upon uprighting the container, the ejector and the pellets gravitate back to their normal inoperative position.

This invention relates in general to a container and dispenser, and more specifically to a container-dispenser in which various round particles or products such as pills, tablets, pellets, balls and the like, may be packaged for consumer distribution and from which a consumer may readily dispense the particles or products contained therein, one at a time upon each dispensing operation.

Heretofore, many articles of commerce, as for example pills, various comestible products such as sugar pellets, candy balls, gum balls and numerous other such products were generally sold and distributed in containers such as bottles, jars or boxes and the like which were not suitable for effectively dispensing such articles therefrom one at a time. For example, when pills are packaged in conventional jars or bottles, it was necessary for a consumer to first remove the bottle closure and then tilt the bottle to dispense the pills through the opened end thereof. In doing so, extreme care had to be exercised in order to prohibit the pills from spilling therefrom. More often than not more than the desired number of pills would be so dispensed. The dispensing of pills in this manner would inevitably result in Waste as frequently the excess pills 3,398,857 Patented Aug. 27, 1968 would and did fall to the floor or otherwise become soiled due to the excessive handling thereof.

Recently, it has become commonplace for many restaurants to supply an artificial sweetener in pellet form, in lieu of sugar, for the benefit of patrons wishing to limit their calorie intake. Such pellet type of artificial sweeteners were simply displayed in a conventional counter or table container from which the patrons would serve themselves by removing the desired number of pellets therefrom in the same manner as pills have been normally dispensed from a common container. Experience has shown that this method of dispensing pellet sweeteners resulted in considerable waste in that more than the desired number of pellets were frequently dispensed, and consequently little if any control was had over the use and/or consumption of such product. Also, the permitting of the public to general access of such product failed to satisfy the sanitary conditions which many proprietors of public eating places wished to maintain.

Consequently, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved article container and dispenser which is particularly adapted for dispensing round particles therefrom, one at a time upon each dispensing operation in an efiicient and positive manner.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved container and dispenser in which the products contained therein can be dispensed therefrom as needed in a completely sanitary manner.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved container and dispenser for round products which is relatively simple in construction, positive in operation and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It is another object of this invention to provide a container in which round products such as pills, candies, sweeteners and other products can be readily packaged for retail distribution and which container can thereafter be subsequently utilized by the purchaser thereof as a dispenser for dispensing the products contained therein one at a time in a relatively simple, expedient and sanitary manner.

Another object of this invention is to pro-vide an improved container which in one form of the invention is constructed and arranged so as to effectively dispense round products one at a time in a positive manner simply -by effecting a tilting or rotational movement of the container from an upright inoperative position to a tilted dispensing position.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved container and dispensing means in which the particles contained therein can be dispensed by effecting a simple rectilinear displacement of the article containing chamber or portion thereof relative to its base portion.

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages of this invention are attained by a container and dispenser of round particles comprising a means for defining a chamber or enclosure for containing a supply of such particles, and which enclosure is provided with an opening through which the particles contained therein can be dispensed. The enclosure or chamber is further defined with a sloping bottom wall having a low point or portion toward which the particles contained therein will gravitate, and a dispensing means is operatively associated at the low portion of the bottom wall, in the normal upright position of the container, for effecting the dispensing of the particle located thereat one by one upon each dispensing operation.

In one form of the invention, the dispensing means comprises a sub-cavity which is located in open communication with the enclosure or chamber and the subcavity in turn is in communication with a dispensing passageway through which the particle is dispensed when the 3 container is rotated from an upright inoperative position to a tilted or rotated dispensing position. The construction and arrangement of the sub-cavity is such that a pellet gravitates thereto and is disposed therein when the container is in the normal upright position. In dispensing, the sub-cavity functions to temporarily trap the pellet therein, and thereby blocks or prohibits a succeeding pellet from entering therein. As the container is further rotated, the particles in the main chamber is gravi tated away from the sub-cavity and dispensed through the passageway connecting to it.

In another form of the invention a movable ejector means is operatively associated with the low point of the main chamber bottom wall. The movable ejector is disposed in alignment with a channelway or passageway through which the particles are successively dispensed. The end of the passage is spaced over the low point for alignment with the particle resting thereat in the normal upright position of the container. In this form of the invention, a means is provided for eifecting reciprocal movement of the ejector inwardly toward the passageway upon the tilting of the dispenser from an inoperative upright position to an operative dispensing position. In doing so, the movable ejector positions the pellet to be dispensed into the passageway and at the same time blocks the opening to the passageway to prohibit any succeeding pellet from entering thereinto. Upon uprighting the container, the ejector and pellets gravitate back to the normal inoperative position.

In still another form of the invention, the enclosure for containing the particle is mounted for relative reciprocal movement with respect to the base portion of the container, the latter having connected thereto a dispensing means in the form of an ejector post which is fixed to the base. The arrangement is such that upon a relative reciprocal movement between the enclosure and the base portion of the container, a particle contained in the enclosure is positioned upon the upper end of the post so that upon the return of the enclosure or chamber to its normal inoperative position causes a pellet on the end of the post to be ejected out through an aligned opening formed in the top of the enclosure or chamber.

With respect to this latter form of the invention, means are provided for rendering the enclosure detachably connected to the base means so that dispensing of the particles contained therein can be effected only upon the detachment of the enclosure or chamber containing the particles from the base portion of the container.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of an improved container for distributing various kinds of round products such as pills, candy balls, gum balls, sugar pellets and the like, in a container which is readily adapted for dispensing of the particles therefrom one by one upon each dispensing operation.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of an improved container for various round products from which the products contained therein are individually dispensed upon rotation of the container through the horizontal from an inoperative or normal upright inoperative position to a tilted operative dispensing position.

It is another feature of this invention to provide an improved container for round articles or products having a particle containing portion detachably connected relative to a base member, and which is constructed and arranged so as to be relatively movable thereto so that by a simple reciprocating movement of the particle containing portion relative to the base member, individual dispensing of the particles therein can be readily effected.

' Another feature resides in the provision of a container for round products which is constructed and arranged so as to effect a sanitary means for individually dispensing the articles therefrom.

It is another feature of this invention to provide an improved particle container in which the dispensing of the products contained therein can be readily effected with a relatively simple movement.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the specification and drawings in which,

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view of a container and dispenser of round products constructed in accordance with this invention and shown in its normal, inoperative upright position.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of a container and dispenser of FIGURE 1 rotated to its operative dispensing position.

FIGURE 3 is a plan sectional view taken along line 3-3 on FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional View of a dispensing container illustrating a modified form of the invention wherein the container is shown in its normal inoperative upright position.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view illustrating the container of FIGURE 4 shown in its tilted or rotated, dispensing position.

FIGURE 6- is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a vertical sectional view of the dispenser of FIGURE 6 illustrating the relative movements of the component parts of the container during a dispensing operation.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a dispensing container of the type illustrated in FIGURE 6, but directed to a modified version thereof.

FIGURE 9 is a vertical sectional view of another modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 10 is a detailed view of a base portion of the dispensing container of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a detail sectional view taken through the closure of the dispensing container of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 12 is a bottom plan view of the closure of FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is a plan view of the enclosure or particle chamber, with the cover removed of the dispensing container of FIGURE 9, and

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view of a detail of construction taken along line 1414 on FIGURE 9.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a dispensing-container 20 constructed in accordance with the instant invention. The dispensing-container 20 shown therein is particularly adapted for distributing and dispensing round articles of manufacture 21 such as [for example sugar pills, candy balls, gum balls, pills and pellets of various kinds and/or any other similar product which is manufactured with a substantially round of spherical configuration. A particular product which is gaining popularity is an artificial sweetening tablet which is made in the form of a small ball or pill. This product is currently being widely used in restaurants, cafeterias, hotels and the like as a substitute for sugar for patrons having dietary problems.

In accordance with this invention, a container 20 is provided which can be utilized not only for eifecting the packaging and distribution of such products or articles of manufacture, but which is also rendered readily adapted as a dispenser from which the particles or pellets 21 contained therein may be dispensed. Referring more particularly to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the combined container-dispenser 20 of this invention comprises an enclosure 22 defining the main chamber 23 for the articles 21. The enclosure 22 is formed by a circumscribing upright wall 22A closed at the top thereof in any suitable manner, as for example by a top wall or a closure 24 and at the bottom thereof by a sloping bottom wall 25. The bottom wall 25 is sloped for tunneling or gravitating the particles 21 therein toward a common low point or portion 26 of the enclosure.

Adjacent this low point or portion 26 of the bottom wall 25 and connected into communication with the main chamber 23 of the enclosure there is provided a suboavity 27. The upper end of the sub-cavity 27 is open or in communication with a passageway or channel 28 through which an article 21 within the enclosure 22 may be dispensed upon tilting of the container 20 from its upright position as shown in FIG. 1 to a dispensing position as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown, the channel or passageway 28 is defined by a tubular construction, which may be formed integral with the upright portion 22 of the container. The sub-cavity 27 is located beneath the lower or inlet end 28A of passageway or channel 28. In the illustrated form, the subcavity 27 is sized so as to accommodate a single particle or article 21 of manufacture. However, it will be understood that the sub-cavity 27 may be sized to accommodate more than one particle if a plurality of such products is to be dispensed.

As is evident in FIGURE 1, it will be noted that due to the sloping of the bottom wall 25, the articles 21 contained in the main chamber 23 of the container are funneled toward a low point or portion 26 of the container and which low portion 26 is disposed in open communication with the sub-cavity 27.

In accordance with this arrangement,, the sub-cavity 27 is provided with an inclined wall surface 27A which extends outwardly and downwardly from the inlet opening 28A to the passageway 28 to define a sub-cavity shape, which when laid on its left side in a horizontal position defines a bottom 27B having a lower elevation than that of the passageway 28. The inclined surface 27A of the sub-cavity 27 is spaced above the low portion 26 of the bottom wall, and the inlet end 28A of the passageway 28 is spaced from the bottom of the sub-cavity a distance sufiicient to permit at least one of the particles 21 or pellets within the container to pass from the main chamber 23 of the container to the sub-cavity portion 27 thereof.

In accordance with this invention, the width of the subcavity 27 is such that it is sufiicient to accommodate the diameter of one of the particles so that the next succeeding particle is brought to a rest position thereagainst. As shown, the spacing is such that the next succeeding particle is only slightly extended into the sub-cavity 27. Accordingly, the sub-cavity 27 is specifically constructed and arranged so as to be in communication with the lowermost portion 26 of the inclined bottom wall 25 to accommodate only the desired number of particles to be dispensed which in the illustrated form is one.

To effect the dispensing operation with the structure described, the operator need only to rotate or tilt the dispensing-container 20 from its normal upright position as shown in FIG. 1 to a dispensing position shown in FIG. 2. It is to be noted that to effect the dispensing of the article 21 contained within the sub-cavity 27, that the container is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 an amount greater than 90. In doing so, the container 20 is rotated through the horizontal so that the open or exit end 28B of the channelway 28 is below the main chamber 23 of the container and below the horizontal plane. In effecting this movement, the article 21 contained in the sub-cavity 27 is prohibited from entering or rolling out throng-h the channelway 28 because of the inclined surface 27A until the container is moved through the horizontal. For this reason, the article contained in the sub-cavity 27 is temporarily locked or prohibited from immediately entering the dispensing passageway or channelway 28. Meanwhile, the articles or particles 21 in the main chamber thereof will roll toward the upper or closure end 24 of the container as the container is rotated or tilted to a dispensing position of FIG. 2. By temporarily prohibiting the article 21 in the subcavity 27 from being immediately dispensed through the passageway 28 until the container is rotated through the horizontal, the next succeeding particle, as for example particle 21A in FIG. 1, rolls away from the entrance to the sub-cavity upon tilting of the container. Thus, rotation of the container 20 to a dispensing position of FIG. 2, causes the next succeeding particle 21A to be dislodged away from the opening 29 to the sub-cavity before the particle 21B in the sub-cavity 27 begins to roll up the inclined surface and through the passageway 28 as viewed in FIG. 2. When this occurs, the tilt of the container 20 is such the next succeeding particle 21A rolls down the inclined surface 30 along the outer side of the channelway 28 as the pellet or article 21B in the sub-cavity 27 enters the passageway 28 to be dispensed therefrom. To facilitate the dislodgement for particle 21B, the end of the :passageway 30 may be incline-d as shown. Accordingly, it will become readily apparent that only the particle 21B in the sub-cavity can be dispensed upon a dispensing operation. After the pellet 21B has been dispensed, the container 20 is uprighted thereby permitting the articles 21 in chamber 23 to again be directed toward the low point 26 of the container. Due to the slope of bottom wall 25, the first particle 21 to reach the low point of the bottom wall 25 is directed to the sub-chamber 27 to become the next article 21B to be dispensed.

To effect the dispensing of the next article lodged within the sub-cavity, the operation is repeated and dispensing container is rotated in a manner hereinbe-fore described. It thus becomes apparent that for each dispensing operation, it is requisite that the container be rotated from its normal upright position as shown in FIG. 1 to a tilted or rotated dispensing position as shown in FIG. 2, each time an article contained therein is to be dispensed. From the foregoing, it will be realized that the articles 21 can be readily dispensed individually, that is, one at a time on each dispensing operation. Therefore, a highly sanitary means of dispensing comestible products is provided. Also, the container dispenser described minimizes waste for the reason that accidental spillage or dispensing of more than the required number of particles is prohibited. If desired, a suitable closure not shown may be provided to close exit end 28B of channelway 28.

FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate a modified form of invention. In this form of the invention, the container-dispenser comprises an enclosure which is defined by a circumscribing side wall 36 having connected thereto a top wall or closure 37 and a bottom wall 38 that slopes toward an opening 39 formed therein. In the illustrated form of the invention, the container 35 is of circular cross section; however, it will be understood that the cross sectional shape of the enclosure may assume any desired configuration. Circumscribing the opening 39 in the bottom wall 38 is a depending neck portion 40 which is adapted to receive a reciprocating ejector means 41.

Disposed in axial alignment with the opening 39 in the bottom wall 38 of the container is a tubular means defining a channelway 42. As shown, the channelway 42 comprises a tubular member which depends downwardly from the top wall 37 of the container and which circumscribes an opening 43 formed therein. It will be noted that the lower end 44 of the channelway 42 is spaced above the bottom wall 38 a distance sufficient to accommodate the positioning of an article 45 contained within the enclosure in axial alignment with the passageway 42.

The reciprocating ejector 41 comprises a stem or post 41A which has connected to the bottom thereof a plate member 41B disposed substantially normal thereto.

Interposed between the curvilinear bottom wall 38 of the main chamber 46 and the base portion 47 of the container is an intermediate member 48 provided with a spherical recess 49 disposed in alignment with the opening 39 and the passageway or channel 42 means in alignment therewith. As shown, a ball member 50 is disposed in rolling engagement with the surface of the recess 49 and the plate member 41B connected to the bottom of the reciprocating ejector post 41A. The arrangement is such that that radius of the ball 50 is less than the radius of the spherical recess 49. Accordingly, it will be noted that the round particles 45 disposed within the main chamber 46,

due to the curvilinear or sloping portion of the bottom wall 38 will tend to gravitate toward the opening 39 in the bottom wall. The opening 39 in the bottom wall is formed smaller than the diameter of the pellet 45 so that the pellet in assuming this position is brought to rest above the upper end of the sliding ejector post 41A which is normally disposed adjacent the plane of the bottom wall. If desired, the upper end of the ejector post of the stern 41A may be provided with a curvilinear surface so as to accommodate or define a seat 41C for the particle 45 positioned over the opening 39 in the bottom wall.

With this form of the invention, it will be noted that to effect the dispensing of the articles 45 within the container, the container is required to be rotated from its normal upright position, as shown in FIG. 4, to a rotated or tilted position as shown in FIG. 5. When the container 35 of FIG. 4 is rotated for example in a counterclockwise rotation, gravity causes the ball 50 disposed in the spherical recess 49 to gravitate to one side thereof, and in doing so, causes the ejector stem or post 41A to be displaced toward the inlet opening 44 of the passageway 42. In doing so, the pellet 45 resting on the end of the ejector 41A is pushed into the inlet opening 44 of the passageway through which the pellet is free to roll therethrough as the container is tilted through the horizontal position, i.e. more than 90 from the vertical position shown in FIG. 4.

The stem or ejector post 41A in traversing the spacing between the bottom wall 38 and the inlet 44 to the passageway 42 prohibits any other pellet or particle from entering the same thereby insuring the dispensing, of only that particle 45 which was initially positioned over the opening 39 and upon the end of the ejector 41A. As the container is again righted from the position shown in FIG. 5 to its normal postition of FIG. 4, gravity will cause the ball actuator to return to the center of the spherical recess 39, and causing the stern ejector 41A, to be returned to its retracted position, as seen in FIG. 1. The curvilinear surface of the bottom wall 38 thus causes the pellets 45 resting thereon to gravitate toward the low point thereof and in doing so, one of the pellets or articles assumes a position over the opening 39 formed in the bottom wall 38 and above the upper end of the ejecting stem. To dispense the next particle, the operation is repeated in a manner hereinbefore described. In this form of the invention, the round articles 45 contained therein are dispensed individually in a positive manner. Excessive waste is prohibited in that only one pellet is capable of be ing dispensed during any given dispensing operation. Also, in this form of the invention, is is to be noted that due to the construction thereof, the dispenser can be tilted to dispense in any direction, irrespective of the manner in which it is grasped. Thus, the container-dispenser can be tilted in any desired direction since the spherical recess 49 will permit the ball 50 contained therein to gravitate to the low point thereof, and thereby effect displacement of the reciprocating stem accordingly. It will be of course realized that the ball 50 has sutficient weight to elfect the displacement of stem 41A when tilted.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate a further modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention, the enclosure for containing the pellets or articles 56 are defined by an upright wall 57 having an incline or sloping bottom wall 58 connected thereto in any suitable manner. A top wall or closure 59 is provided to form a top for the upper end of the enclosure or housing 55. As shown, both the bottom wall 58 and top wall 59 are provided with aligned openings 58A, 59A which are adapted to receive a dispensing means, which in this form of the invention is defined as an ejector post 60 which is connected to a base support 61. If desired, a top wall 59 may be either integrally or detachably connected to the upper end of the enclosure and a cover 62 fitted thereto to form a completely sealed enclosure for the articles contained therein.

In this form of the invention, the bottom wall 58 of the enclosure, which defines the main or supply chamber of the container, is integrally connected to the base support 61 by means of a plurality of interconnecting integrally formed frangible links 63. Thus, during assembly, filling and handling of the container prior to use, by a consumer, the enclosure portion 55 and the base portion 61 are integrally connected for ease of handling.

It is to be noted that in the normal inoperative position, the dispensing or ejecting post 60 extends upwardly through the aligned opening 58A, 59A formed in the top and bottom walls of the enclosure.

To effect a dispensing operation, it is to be noted that the base member 61 and the enclosure or housing 55 is twisted or rotated relative to each other with sutficient force to effect the breaking of the interconnecting frangible links 63. Upon the breaking of the interconnecting frangible links 63, it will be apparent that the enclosure 55 can be reciprocated along the ejecting or dispensing post 60 as evident in FIG. 7. In operation, the enclosure 55 is raised relative to the base member 61 an amount sufiicient to move the pellets 56 therein above the upper end of the ejector post. In doing so, one of the particles 56 is caused to be positioned upon the upper end 60A of the ejecting post 60. In returning the enclosure 55 and base member 61 together to their normal inoperative position, as indicated by the dotted lines of FIG. 7, the particle 56 positioned on the upper end 60A of post 60 is caused to be projected out through the opening 59A in the top Wall 59 of the container where it then becomes readily accessible to the user. To elfect the dispensing of another particle, the housing 55 is again reciprocated relative to the base member to repeat the operation. A shoulder 65 is provided which functions as a stop to prohibit unintentional separation of the housing 55 from the base member 61. Also, a groove or detent 66 is provided at the base of the post 60 to detachably connect the housing 55 to the ejector post 60. Thus, the bead 67 formed on the base frictionally engages in groove 66 to frictionally retain the base 61 to the enclosure 65.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a modified form of the invention of the container-dispenser disclosed in FIG. 6. In this form of the invention, the construction of the dispensing container 70 of FIG. 8 is similar in all respects to that hcreinbefore described with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7 with the exception that the base support 71 and the bottom portion 72 of the housing 73 are each provided with complementary threaded portions 71A, 72A so that the base member 71 and the housing 73 are detachably connected by means of a threaded engagement, rather than by frangible links 63 as hereinbefore described. Thus, to effect relative movement between the article enclosure portion 73 of the container the base portion 71 thereof, the threaded engagement between the base and the enclosure is required to be undone prior to effecting the dispensing operation by a relative reciprocal movement between the housing 73 and the base 71.

FIGURES 9 through 14 are directed to another form of the invention of the type disclosed in FIGS. 6 through 8. In this form of the invention, the dispensing container comprises a housing portion 81 for the articles and a connected base portion 82. As shown, the base portion 82 is defined by a bottom wall 83 having a connected upright circumscribing wall 84 integrally connected thereto. Connected centrally of the bottom wall 83 is the ejector post 85 which extends upwardly therefrom. The ejector post 85 has an elongated groove 86 formed along the length thereof to define a guide for the housing 81 during the dispensing operation.

The housing 81 in turn is defined by a cylindrical member having a sloping bottom wall 87 formed with a central opening 88 therein for receiving the ejector post 85 of the base member. A depending neck portion 89 circumscribes the opening 88 and it functions as a bearing for the housing 81 which is free to slide along the ejector post 85. To guide'the housing 81 along the post 85 and to prohibit relative rotation thereto, the neck portion 89 of the enclosure or housing is provided with'inwardly extending projections 90 which is adapted to ride in the groove 86 of the ejector post 85 to guide the enclosure 81 therealong during a dispensing operation.

The upper end of the housing 81 is closed by a cover member 91 which is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 11 and 12. As shown, the cover member 91 is substantially circular, and it is provided with a depending wall 92 which is adapted to be received within the circumference of the upper end portion of the enclosure 81. The outer surface of the cover depending wall 92 is provided with a circumscribing recess or groove 93 which is arranged to interlockingly engage with a series of projections 94 formed on the interior surface of the enclosure 81 adjacent the upper end thereof. Accordingly, the cover 91 is rendered detachably connected to the upper end of the enclosure 81.

The cover 91 is provided wih a central opening 95 through which the upper end of the ejecting stem or post 85 extends in the normal inoperative position.

To detachably connect the housing 81 to the base member 82 a strip of adhesive material 96 utilized to prevent relative movement therebetween.

To effect a dispensing operation, it is to be noted that the adhesive strip 96 is first required to be removed, thereby rendering the housing 81 free to move along the ejector post 85 relative to the base portion 82 of the container 80.

The dispensing of the articles contained within the housing is effected in a manner similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7. That is, the enclosure 81 is required to be reciprocated relative to the base member 82 along the ejector post 85 to a position which permits one of the articles 97 contained therein to be seated on the upper end of the ejector post 85. Accordingly, as the housing 81 is returned to its normal position, the particle on the end of the ejector post 85 is projected out through the opening 95 formed in the cover 90 where it is rendered readily accessible to the user. To eilect continual dispensing of the articles 97 within the container, the operation is repeated. To retain the article on the ejector post 85, the upper end is formed with a concave seat 98.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that the container for round particles and/or articles of manufacture can be readily adapted to dispense for the articles therein in a sanitary manner. Also, the respective dispensers are constructed and arranged so that a single article can be dispensed in any given dispensing operation, and that the dispensing operation is rendered positive in each instance.

The respective dispensers utilize a minimum of movable parts, and in fact, the dispensers of FIGS. 1 and 3 is completely absent of any movable parts, and for this reason can be fabricated and constructed at a minimum of expense.

While the instant invention has been described with reference to several embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A container for pills from which the pills contained therein are dispensed one by one by tilting said container from a normal upright position to a tilted position comprising,

means defining an enclosure for containing a plurality of pills,

said enclosure having an opening through which said pills are dispensed, and

said enclosure including a sloping bottom wall having a low point toward which each of said pills is directed in the upright position of said container, said low point being adapted to accommodate the pill to be dispensed, and

a dispensing means operatively associated with the low point of said bottom wall for positively effecting the dispensing of the pill located thereat one by one when said dispenser is tilted to a dispensing position,

and said enclosure including a means defining an elongated passageway in communication with said opening for directing a pill to be dispensed to said opensaid passageway having its bottom end spaced from the low point of said bottom wall,

said spacing of said passageway from said bottom wall being suflicient to permit one of said pills to rest in axial alignment with said passageway,

said bottom wall having an opening therein disposed in axial alignment with said passageway,

and said dispensing means including a movable plunger slidably mounted for movement in and out of said opening in said bottom wall, the top of said plunger supporting thereon the pill resting in alignment with said passageway in the upright position of said container,

and means operating on said plunger to effect movement of said plunger when said container is tilted to a dispensing operation whereby said plunger moves the pill thereon into the passageway and in doing so blocks said passageway to prohibit the dispensing of any other pill until said container is again uprighted.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said enclosure includes a base member spaced from said sloping bottom wall, said base member having a spherical recess formed therein beneath the opening in said bottom wall, and said means operating on said plunger including a ball member in rolling engagement with the surface of said recess and said plunger whereby tilting said container from an upright position to a dispensing position effects movement of said plunger to position the pull thereon into the passageway to effect the dispensing thereof.

3. A container for pills from which the pills contained therein are dispensed one by one by tilting said container from a normal upright position to a tilted position comprising,

means defining an enclosure for containing a plurality of pills,

said enclosure having an opening through which said pills are dispensed, and

said enclosure including a sloping bottom wall having a low point toward which each of said pills is directed in the upright position of said container, said low point being adapted to accommodate the pill to be dispensed, and

a dispensing means operatively associated with the low point of said bottom wall for positively effecting the dispensing of the pill located thereat one by one when said dispenser is tilted to a dispensing position wherein said dispensing means includes,

means defining a passageway which opens into said enclosure through a single opening adjacent the low point,

means defining a sub-cavity at the bottom of said passageway when in the upright position of said container,

said sub-cavity being in communication with both said enclosure and said passageway through said single opening,

and said sub-cavity being adjacent the low point of said sloping bottom wall for receiving a pill when in the upright position of said container,

said sub-cavity having defined on one side an inclined surface for directing a pill confined therein into said passageway, whereby the inclined surface directs said pill in a manner which prohibits the next succeeding pill from entering said passageway when tilting said container from an upright inoperative position to a dispensing operative position.

4. A container and dispenser for individually dispensing a single round particle on each dispensing operation comprising,

an enclosure having a main chamber for containing a plurality of said round particles,

said enclosure having a sloping bottom wall for directing said particles resting thereon when in the upright position of said container to a common low point of said enclosure,

a means defining a sub-cavity adjacent the low point of said sloping bottom wall sized to receive the lowermost particle,

and means defining a tubular passageway having an opening to the exterior of said enclosure, said passageway being in communication with said sub-cavity through a single opening for receiving the lowermost particle, which lowermost particle, when said container is tilted from an upright inoperative position to a dispensing position is dispensed through said tubular passageways,

said latter means includes an inclined surface defining one side of said sub-cavity to prohibit the particle in said sub-cavity from passing through said passageway until the next succeeding particle has been displaced from entering into said sub-cavity so that only one particle is dispensed on each dispensing operation.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said said sloping bottom wall sized to receive the lowermost particle, t and means defining a tubular passageway having an opening to the exterior of said enclosure, said passageway being in communication with said sub-cavity through a single opening for receiving the lowermost particle, which lowermost particle, when said container is tilted from an upright inoperative position to a dispensing position is dispensed through said tubular passageway wherein said sub-cavity is disposed beneath said passageway and in communication therewith and with the low portion of said bottom wall,

said sub-cavity having an inclined wall portion defining the outside limit thereof so that a particle resting therein is beneath the passageway with the next succeeding particle resting thereagainst to one side of said sub-cavity and projecting only partly through said single opening so that upon tilting of the container from its upright position to a dispensing position, the particle in the sub-cavity is prohibited from entering said passageway until the next succeeding particle is dislodged away from said single opening of said sub-cavity and toward said main chamber for insuring the dispensing of only said particle lodged in said sub-cavity.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said container is required to be rotated through 90 of rotainclined surface is disposed adjacent the lower end of said t I tion before the particle lodged in aid sub-cavity is dismeans defining said passageway and slopes inwardly and upwardly of said enclosure. 30 R 6. A container and dispenser for individually dispens- References cued ing a single round particle on each dispensing operation UNITED STATES PATENTS comprising, 2,233,120 2/1941 Andonov 221-190 an enclosure having a main chamber for containing a 2 2 4 554 12 1941 Roemmele plurality of said round particles, 0 3,010,609 11/1961 Jolly 221-254 said enclosure having a sloping bottom wall for direct- 3,130,862 4/ 1964 Lachance 222-190 ing said particles resting thereon when in the upright 3,135,441 6/1964 Wise et al 222-569 X position of said container to a common low point 3,259,233 7/ 1966 ee an 222541 X of said enclosure,

40 a means defining a sub-cavity adjacent the low point of STANLEY TOLLBERG Examiner. 

